might be
reasons why I should repent going."

"But you must have that door opened at once," cried Sir Mark, now once
more growing excited, as if Guest's manner were contagious.

Guest drew his hand over the door in search of a hold to try and drag it
toward him, ending by thrusting it in by the letter slit and giving it a
vigorous shake.

He withdrew it, shaking his head, and paused, for steps were heard. But
they passed the doorway at the bottom of the building and died away,
while, as he listened, all seemed to be silent upstairs and down.

"We must have a carpenter," he said aloud; and, once more placing his
ear to the letter slit, he listened, and then came away to where Sir
Mark stood.

"I'm certain I heard breathing within there," he whispered. "Someone is
listening, and I'm sure there is something wrong; but I don't like to
leave you here alone, Sir Mark."

"Why?"

"In case some scoundrel should make a sudden rush out and escape."

"Fetch a policeman," said Sir Mark sturdily. "Let him try it while you
are gone."

At that moment, Guest uttered an eager cry, and thrust his hand into his
pocket.

"I'd forgotten that," he said, in answer to Miss Jerrold's inquiring
look; "and I don't know now that it will fit."

He had taken out his latchkey on the chance of that which fitted the
lock of one set of chambers fitting that of another, and, thrusting it
into the keyhole, he was in the act of turning it when, as if someone
had been listening to every word and act, a bolt was suddenly shot back,
and the door thrown open against Guest's chest. He started back in
astonishment, for there, in the dark opening, stood Malcolm Stratton,
his face of a sickly sallow, a strange look in his eyes, and a general
aspect of his having suddenly turned ten years older, startling all
present.

"What do you want?" he said harshly.

The question was so sudden that Guest was stunned into muteness, but the
admiral stepped forward fiercely.

"You--you despicable scoundrel!" he roared; and as Stratton stepped back
the old man followed him quickly into the room, and caught him by the
throat.

"Mark! Mark!" cried Miss Jerrold, following to seize her brother's arm,
while Guest, relieved beyond measure at finding his friend in the flesh,
instead of his murderer, hurriedly entered and closed the outer door.

"Stand aside, woman!" cried the admiral, fiercely wresting himself free
in ungovernable rage on seeing the man who had